![\"\"](\"http:\/\/modernkiddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/backpacks.png\" "\\"backpacks\\"")
<\/a>\nImage via: Invisible Elephant<\/a><\/p>\n
Hey friends,<\/p>\n
Japan’s earthquake and tsunami is a tragedy that deserves not only our financial and emotional support but it is also a wake up call for anyone living (or visiting) earthquake areas. \u00c2\u00a0There is nothing scarier than thinking about what would happen to your loved ones if any sort of disaster hits–be it earthquake, fire, hurricane, or heavens knows what. But an ounce of prevention can help you sleep better at night and maybe just save you and your loved ones some grief.\u00c2\u00a0 So, here is some information I pulled together over the weekend for my own needs that I hope can help you too.<\/p>\n
1. Have a plan, Stan<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Red Cross recommends that families have two meeting places\u00e2\u20ac\u201done near where you live and one out of state.<\/p>\n Think about choosing an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. \u00c2\u00a0Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or programmed into their cell phones.<\/p>\n Make sure you figure out the best route out of your home and practice getting out ASAP a few times a year. Know how to turn off your water and gas. Know whether or not it is safer to remain in your house or to get out. \u00c2\u00a0They say you have THREE SECONDS to react to an earthquake. That’s not much time. \u00c2\u00a0Make sure you know what you want to do. And the same goes for fires, hurricanes and everything else Mother Nature can throw at you.<\/p>\n There is a lot of information online about how to survive earthquakes in general. A lot of people are interested in\u00c2\u00a0the “triangle of life” that was mentioned in a recent TIME article<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 That same article also mentions that you should not stand in a doorway for safety during an earthquake.\u00c2\u00a0 Who knew?\u00c2\u00a0 FEMA<\/a> has its own \u00c2\u00a0recommendations of what to do in an earthquake<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 Just taking 10 minutes to update yourself on those facts can be a lifesaver.<\/p>\n 2.\u00c2\u00a0Put together your emergency kit<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Really, it’s not that hard\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit’s just one of those things that is probably on your to do list and has been for awhile. \u00c2\u00a0Plus, it is super easy to make your own emergency kit\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou just need a free Saturday afternoon and a trip to your local Home Depot, Target or supermarket.<\/p>\n Here are some things you might want to add to your emergency kit:<\/p>\n Here are some great links to get you started:<\/p>\n You can also buy your own ready made pack at one of these places (and I’m sure more await with a quick Google search):<\/p>\n Don’t forget to make\/purchase emergency kits for your car and for work too!<\/p>\n And remember to store it in easy access\u00e2\u20ac\u201dnot in the garage, basement or pantry.<\/p>\n 3. Educate yourself and your family<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Natural disasters aren’t a death warrant. They can be survived with safety and aplomb.<\/p>\n Remember kids always seem to understand a lot more than we give them credit for, so letting them know that it will all be OK in the long run can really help them cope with it. \u00c2\u00a0Kid’s Growth has a terrific post about that<\/a>. And there are several resources available too to help them deal with any potential natural disaster nuttiness out there. Like the book,\u00c2\u00a0I’ll Know What To Do<\/a> or FEMA’s Website for kids<\/a> is another great resource.<\/p>\n LA City Mom<\/a> wrote a quote from\u00c2\u00a0parenting expert\u00c2\u00a0Betsy Brown Braun<\/a>, the author of, Just Tell Me What to Say<\/em><\/a>, has some great advice.<\/p>\n She writes that the single most important message to convey is: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are safe. I know how to keep you and our whole family safe. That is my job. We are all safe now, and we will continue to be safe.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Hopefully this little blog post will inspire someone to prepare for the next natural disaster near you.<\/p>\n What’s in your emergency kit? What’s the most surprising item? We are packing a deck of cards and some scotch! Seriously!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Image via: Invisible Elephant Hey friends, Japan’s earthquake and tsunami is a tragedy that deserves not only our financial and emotional support but it is also a wake up call for anyone living (or visiting) earthquake areas. \u00c2\u00a0There is nothing scarier than thinking about what would happen to your loved ones if any sort of … Continue reading Three Tips for Emergency Preparedness<\/span> \n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"\/images\/Dottie_signoff.jpg\")
<\/p>\n